Meet Jason

We’re all really proud of Rory and wish him well in his rugby career, wherever it leads him

East Lothian Council’s Rugby Development Officer Jason Riley does, and it’s a determination he recognises in Scotland international rugby player Rory Darge, who made his starting team line-up debut at Murrayfield against France at the weekend.

Now a flanker with Glasgow Warriors, Rory’s path to Murrayfield is rooted in East Lothian. He was supported as part of the Council’s Performance Athletes in Schools (PAIS) programme, was part of Scottish Rugby Borders & East Lothian Regional Academy based from Meadowmill and represented North Berwick High School. Jason is immensely proud of Rory’s success, having coached him at Under 16 & Under 18 academy level, and of all the players he has coached and supported. “In my role I get to see first-hand the sacrifice and huge amount of dedication and discipline that it takes to succeed in rugby. When that kind of effort and dedication is rewarded it a great feeling to have helped and been part of the journey,” Jason says.

Jason has had a lifelong interest in rugby. Even as a player he would study the game in depth and understand it as best he could. Shortly after joining Preston Lodge RFC as a player, he had the opportunity to join Preston Lodge High School as a development officer. After seven years as a club Development Officer and coaching at Preston Lodge and in the East Lothian and Academy teams he became East Lothian Rugby Development Officer in October 2019.

Jason describes his role as having “multiple strands”, the first of which is supporting club development officers to ensure a strong rugby curriculum in primary and secondary schools. Another big part of his role is identifying and supporting rugby players throughout East Lothian to go on and play regional and academy rugby. “We support these players with additional strength and conditioning programmes and skills sessions to help them try realise their rugby dreams of National age grade and professional rugby,” he explains.

Jason is passionate about the benefits and power of sport. “Sport, and rugby in particular teach many life lessons and builds a resilience in people that put them in good stead in all walks of life. There are the obvious physical and health benefits to sport but I think just as importantly it enhances social and mental health in people who take part,” he says. Jason points to the camaraderie that exists amongst rugby players: “Running the East Lothian programme, we see players who compete against each other on a weekly basis then come together to make a regional team and go on to make friends for life through this wonderful sport.”

For players like Rory and the other young people who are part of the PAIS programme, Jason believes that the specialist coaching and perspective is a key part of the support they receive. “Having coaches and people around and who know what it takes to achieve that can guide and support those athletes and be with them through the inevitable ups and downs is crucial. Also understanding the importance of having a balance between achieving your goal and living life and gaining those experiences,” says Jason.

“A lot of people want to be professionals in sport and play for Scotland but very few understand what it takes to go from talented prospect to succeed in the professional game. We’re all really proud of Rory and wish him well in his rugby career, wherever it leads him.”